QuickBooks Desktop 2020 Multi-User Setup After Sunset
Keep QuickBooks Desktop 2020 running in multi-user mode without Intuit support. Learn how to configure Database Server Manager, hosting, and firewalls.
When Intuit discontinued services for QuickBooks Desktop 2020 on May 31, 2023, the software itself did not stop working. If you operate multiple workstations on a local network, you can continue running your 2020 installation in multi-user mode indefinitely. Because live support and automatic updates are no longer available, configuring your network correctly the first time is the best way to prevent disruptions.
The Same-Version Rule
For multi-user mode to function, every computer accessing the company file must be running the exact same version and release of QuickBooks. If one workstation is on QuickBooks Desktop 2020 R5 and another is on R7, they will refuse to share data. Since automatic updates are cut off, you must manually apply the same release patch to every machine on your network before attempting to work on the file simultaneously.
Hosting Mode Configuration
Only one computer on your network should host the company file—usually your dedicated server, or the fastest workstation if you use a peer-to-peer setup.
On that host machine, verify that hosting is turned on. Open QuickBooks, go to the File menu, select Utilities, and look for Host Multi-User Access. If you see Stop Hosting Multi-User Access, the machine is already hosting correctly. On every other workstation, ensure this same menu option says Host Multi-User Access, meaning hosting is turned off. QuickBooks only allows one host per network.
Database Server Manager
The QuickBooks Database Server Manager (DBSM) is the engine that allows multiple users to access the file at the same time.
- On your host computer, open the Windows Start menu and search for QuickBooks Database Server Manager.
- Go to the Folders tab and click Add Folder.
- Browse to the exact folder where your
.qbwcompany file is saved. - Click Scan.
The scan may take several minutes. Once it finishes, the DBSM should list your company file under the "QuickBooks company files found" section. If your file is not listed, the host machine does not have proper read/write permissions for the folder.
Firewall Configuration
When QuickBooks updates, it usually configures the Windows Firewall automatically. Because your 2020 version no longer updates, a firewall reset or a new security program can easily block access. You will need to configure your firewall ports manually.
QuickBooks Desktop 2020 requires specific inbound and outbound ports to communicate across your network. You must open the following ports in your Windows Firewall (and any third-party antivirus firewalls):
- 8019 (used for basic data exchange)
- 56728 (the specific dynamic port reserved for QuickBooks Desktop 2020)
Create inbound and outbound rules for these ports, ensuring they apply to the QuickBooks executable files (typically QBW32.exe and QBWDatabaseServerManager.exe). If you recently installed a new security suite, you may also need to add your QuickBooks installation directory to its list of trusted exceptions.
Resolving Common H-Series Errors
When multi-user mode breaks down, QuickBooks typically throws an "H-series" error (such as H202, H505, or H303). These errors almost always indicate a communication breakdown between the workstations and the host machine.
- H202 and H505: These appear when a workstation tries to switch to multi-user mode but cannot reach the host. First, verify that the DBSM was scanned correctly and that hosting is only active on the server. Next, ping the host machine's IP address from the workstation to confirm basic network connectivity.
- H303 and H304: These usually point to incorrect firewall configuration or a router issue preventing the computers from seeing each other on the same subnet. Double-check your manually configured firewall ports.
Because these errors stem from standard Windows networking rather than Intuit's servers, they remain entirely fixable on your own. If you are consistently blocked by data corruption rather than network configuration, you may need to repair your company file to restore stable multi-user access.